Confronting scenes as a man is stabbed outside a Lalor Park barber shop in broad daylight - sparking a riot squad operation

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 14:43, 6 August 2026 | Updated: 14:43, 6 August 2026 A man remains in custody after he allegedly stabbed another man in the neck in front of shocked bystanders over an apparent neighbour dispute in western Sydney. Emergency services were called to a shopping centre on Commercial Road in Lalor Park about 11.15am on Thursday following reports of a stabbing. Confronting CCTV showed the pair swatting and kicking each other before one man pulled out a kitchen knife and stabbed the other in the neck. The victim was heard screaming in pain and stumbled as he tried to remain steady on his feet.  Bystanders rushed to help the injured man and ushered him to safety into a nearby barber shop as the alleged attacker fled the scene. The 53-year-old victim was treated for multiple stab wounds to his back before he was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition.   Police established a crime scene outside the shops and launched a manhunt for the alleged attacker, who was tracked down to a nearby unit block across the road. Riot squad officers attempted to negotiate with the man, 38, but were forced to break in. A man (left) was arrested after stabbing a man (right), believed to be his neighbour, in the back multiple times The knifeman was arrested at a unit complex across the road from the shopping centre an hour later The main was surrounded by at least six officers as he was dragged from the unit complex into a police van.  Police believe the men are neighbours and are known to each other.  Superintendent Brendan Gorman reassured the public there was no ongoing threat. 'Police are out there patrolling and we conduct knife searches all the time in Blacktown, and other areas in the city,' he said. 'We stop and search people when legally allowed to and we encourage people not to take knives unless they are lawfully allowed.' Several items were seized for forensic examination.  The terrifying incident in broad daylight has shocked locals. 'The other bloke just came on top of him,' one witness told the Daily Telegraph. Riot squad officers were called in to track down the alleged attacker  'There was another bloke who dragged the guy (alleged victim) into another shop to get him away.  'I was still focused on the other bloke and I swore at him to 'f**k off with the knife', and he walked away and into the unit complex. It was insane how quick it happened.' The man who was arrested was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he is assisting police with their inquiries.  No charges were laid as of late Thursday.  Police urge anyone with information or footage to contact Blacktown Police Station or Crime Stoppers. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.